Kashmir unrest: It’s battle between separatists and country, says government

New Delhi, (IANS) The government on Monday said the battle in Kashmir was between the country and the separatists and that violence fometed from across the border will not be tolerated.

Participating in a short duration discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the situation in Kashmir, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: “The battle in Jammu and Kashmir is between the separatists and the country. In the fight against separatism, people of Kashmir are with the country.”

On being questioned by the Congress as to why “extra force” was used in which more than 40 people were killed and thousands injured, Jaitley said: “We are pained by every injury that a Kashmiri suffers. The security forces controlled the situation.”

He appealed to all the parties to speak in one voice and “help restore peace” in the Valley.

“We do not want people to get hurt. The youth of the Valley have joined the civil services and they participate in the mainstream as well. In this scenario, the violence inspired from across the border will not be tolerated,” Jaitley said.